Easier 50 Amp Cord Handling Mods for 2021 Adventurer 36Z

[strickll]

We just purchased a 2021 Winnie Adventurer 36Z. Love the coach. Named it Nimbus. The electrical compartment where the 50 amp cable stows is a bit challenging with arthritis. It has a round hatch opening about 9", on the floor of the storage compartment. The cable is hard wired and not conveniently detachable at the coach. The cable is fed downward through the hole to the hookup. It's reversed when breaking camp, and quite a chore. The MORyde spool won't fit and the Glendinning spool is more than I want to spend right now. Has anyone discovered an easier way, or modification to make this task not so painful.

 

[bigbAZ]

What are you thinking to do that will make it easier? If you could detach the cord and roll it up and stash it wherever you like would that be easier? If so you could cut you present cord close to where it originates leaving a few feet, then attach a new male end and a new female end on the remaining section. I would recommend some good quality twistlocks. Of course once you see the price of quality 50 amp twistlocks you may decide to go with the spool after all, or just use straight 14-50 connectors.

I actually did this with my 30 amp but for a different reason, mainly to connect my Hughes Autoformer inline without hanging it at the pedestal.

 

[strickll]

To answer your question, I'm really not sure. I've got to do something though. I suppose your suggestion of detaching the cord would be one good option. The power cord we've got right now has some permanent twist it also, that probably isn't making things any easier. That combined with the unseasonably cold weather we've been getting here in Florida lately. It's what I would imagine the snake handlers go through during the python round ups they have here, LOL. I got the measurements from the compartment and the Glendinning power spool will fit with ease. That combined with the roller fairlead is most likely the direction I'm gonna go. It's a little bit of a pricey upgrade at around a grand, but I think it'll make life easier for me, with the arthritis flare ups, or my wife with her petite arms.

 

[Clydesdale-WO]

I had the same problem with my 2017 Forza. I cut a notch in the compartment and door. The natural coil of the wire makes it fairly easy now. Getting it in and out of the hole was most of the battle. I made a plug out of foam (I think pipe insulation) and gorilla tape for when I am driving. Its worked well for many years. I know Winnebago has addressed this problem in newer models.

 

[Horse54]

I fully understand your arthritis pain. My coach is in the shop this week and one of the things they are doing for me is installing a power reel. After a lot of discussions and staring at that compartment, we came up with a plan that hopefully will work. I was not going to pay the $1K for a power reel...you can find used on ebay for less, but not enough less. Here is our plan:
1. Ordered a 4 ft cord that is male on one end and bare on the other. That will be hard wired into the ATS. It's available from a variety of places. Did this to just have good fresh wiring going in to the box. Making one from your current cord would work as well.
2. I already had a 50 amp extension cord and will use it. I will end up putting a female on the old cord at some point as my extension if needed.
3. Found a MorRyde power spool that is actually designed for use with a 5th Wheel or camper. It does not have the capability of spinning with the cord attached at the plug. Cost is about $175. Quite a bit of difference. Plus, in my research I found that there has been issues with the contacts on the fully retractable reels causing them to not work properly. These were on some of the forums.

I actually was looking at installing an outside outlet like is used on 5th Wheels and campers but just couldn't find the right place to do it and make sure it was reinforced enough to support it.

Another route that I looked at was cutting a slit in the bottom by the door where you just push the cord in and close the door. Newmar already does it from the factory. My body shop guy was a little hesitant to do it though. Apparently Winnebago has started doing it on some models and I ordered the part, but honestly, it was a piece of plastic what would probably break after a few uses.

Good luck and would really like to know how to solve your problem.

 

[kamphiker2]

I made changes to the 50 amp Umbilical power Cord on my 2020 Vista. I purchased a 3 ft long 50 Amp Umbilical Cord with only the 50 amp Male on one end and bare wires on the other end. I removed the existing Umbilical cord from the Transfer switch and installed the 3 ft section. I torqued the connection lugs as per Specifications listed on the transfer switch cover. I then bought a Female 50 amp receptacle and attached to the bare wires on the removed Factory power cord (Basically now a 50 amp extension cord). I also purchased a short 12 (or 15 can't remember exact length) ft 50 amp RV extension cord with proper Male x Female plugs etc. I find that many of the Campgrounds we stay at the short length power cord is long enough thus, Easier to handle and less to clean off storing away. In Addition, The Winnebago factory pass through at the bottom of the storage bay was small and the ends of the Cords was a pain to get through. I removed the factory plastic cover, enlarged the existing factory hole in the metal floor of the storage bay and installed a Marine Screw on deck port (Inspection plate as some call them). Made life so much easier when wrestling the 50 amp cord.

 

[bigbAZ]

I made changes to the 50 amp Umbilical power Cord on my 2020 Vista. I purchased a 3 ft long 50 Amp Umbilical Cord with only the 50 amp Male on one end and bare wires on the other end. I removed the existing Umbilical cord from the Transfer switch and installed the 3 ft section. I torqued the connection lugs as per Specifications listed on the transfer switch cover. I then bought a Female 50 amp receptacle and attached to the bare wires on the removed Factory power cord (Basically now a 50 amp extension cord). I also purchased a short 12 (or 15 can't remember exact length) ft 50 amp RV extension cord with proper Male x Female plugs etc. I find that many of the Campgrounds we stay at the short length power cord is long enough thus, Easier to handle and less to clean off storing away. In Addition, The Winnebago factory pass through at the bottom of the storage bay was small and the ends of the Cords was a pain to get through. I removed the factory plastic cover, cut a 4" hole in the metal floor of the storage bay and installed a Marine Screw on deck port (Inspection plate as some call them). Made life so much easier when wrestling the 50 amp cord.

Exactly what I did with my 30 amp service, then I made 2 cords, a 12 foot and a 25 foot. We almost always only need the 12 foot.

 

[gfitz]

We just purchased a 2021 Winnie Adventurer 36Z. Love the coach. Named it Nimbus. The electrical compartment where the 50 amp cable stows is a bit challenging with arthritis. It has a round hatch opening about 9", on the floor of the storage compartment. The cable is hard wired and not conveniently detachable at the coach. The cable is fed downward through the hole to the hookup. It's reversed when breaking camp, and quite a chore. The MORyde spool won't fit and the Glendinning spool is more than I want to spend right now. Has anyone discovered an easier way, or modification to make this task not so painful.View attachment 2410850

Maybe you could move reel to another compartment so it fits a wire it to present location of service.

 

[kamphiker2]

Pictures of my finished upgrade 50 amp service

 

[strickll]

I got looking up under the coach this past weekend and I'm now considering installing a weather proof twist lock connector on it, with outside access. The wall thickness where I'm considering mounting it is about 2 inches thick and seems robust enough to handle it. Nuts and bolts would be used, not just screws. It would wire into the box where the existing non detachable power cord is wired now. The existing cord would get a new connector to connect it to the newly mounted exterior twist lock, or it could be replaced by a new one and the old one converted to an extension cord of sorts. I could stow the cords wherever I wanted and would not have to worry about feeding any amount of the cord through the hole in the compartment floor. The power reel might be an option as well, but not the Glendinning that's designed for hardwire installation. Apparently the contacts are a weak spot. Everyone's feedback is really helpful in brainstorming this and I really appreciate you folks. I'm glad I joined this group and enjoy the interactions.